AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2254, 13 May 1897, Page 41

AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP.

(Specially Written fob the Otago Witness.)

Dear Pasquin,— One of the best-known artistes on the colonial stage is at present in Maoriland playing with" George Rigaold's Dramatic Company. The lady referied to is Miss Geoigie Smithson, who has hnd a successful stage career in the colonies for the last 15 years. Cecil Ward has been playing Mercutio in the Brawn Potter-Bellew revival of "Romeo and Juliet " in Melbourne. Mra "Walter Hill played the nurse, Mr Ireland Capulet, and Miss tfarric Ireland Lady Capulet. Bland Holt hired a donkey in Melbourne to give realism to one of the London street scenes in "In Sight of St. Paul's." On the firat night the new member of the company made a confident and successful debut, but it is supposed he afterwards fell a victim to "stage fright." He fled from home during the night, and the police are now on the alert for " a blue and white male donkey." Sydney shows, 1/5/97 :— " Charley's Aunt," Criterion ; " The Prisoner of Zenda ; " Stoltz's Vaudeville Company, Royal ; " Skipped by the Light of the Moon," Palace ; Hickards's Variety Company, Tivoli. Mell-ourne show 3 1/5/97:— Potter-Bellew Company, Princess ; "In Sisjht of Sb. Paul's," Royal ; " Nemenis," Bijou ; E,ickards's Variety Company, Opera House. The remarks which Mr Nat Goodwin is credited by American reporters with haying made on his return from Australia are sufficiently remarkable. Mr Goodwin's story— or the story ascribed to him— of how he was hooted in the streets because he belonged to " the troop of Yankee comedians " is altitudinous ; his other narrative about Australians detebting him and his company as " blastftd Yankees" a swooping flight of imagination. As far as Sydney is concerned, says the Telegraph, Mr Goodwin's failure was largely of hia own making. He opened in "The Nominee," which was a thin and unfunny perversion of a familiar farce, and in which the star played as though he was either unwell or had reached the conclusion that life vasn't worth living. His best effort subsequent'y was not equal to removing the bad impression he created then, and the Lyceum Theatre was patronised thereafter with a meagreness which, as meagrenees, was beyond praise. Once Mr Goodwin and Miss Maxine .Elliott played "The Silent System" at a matinee. On that occasion there was a large audience, the comparative novelty of which staggered the staff of the Lyceum ; and when Mr Goodwin came off ho said, " Thank goodne&s I've played to one full house." In his. Sydney reason that one largesized audience shone as shiaes a good deed in a naughty world. One historic feature of his Australian tour Mr Goodwin is severely silent about. After his fiist performance here he was entertained at a supper. Mr Williamson was in the chair. Actually the American comedian had depressed everyone so much that Mr AYillianiPon, the head of the firm which had brought him here, thought it necessary to assure the supper company — which was a fairly ivj>-esentative one — that they hadn't scan the real Nat Goodwin that nipht ! Nat Goodwin, he said, the Nat Goodwin heknew. hadn't arrived in Sydney. Another thins Mr Goodwin doesn't appear to have made any orations about is his ambition to play " The Prisoner of Zenda " here. He tried very haid to achieve that, but was unable to persuade hin managers to take the necessary risk on him. Ho went back to America to say that he was wanted to "do" the piece hers, but refused. ~ Mr (loadwin is a, very excellent actor in some parts, and a very dull dog in some others, in which tin average comedian would make people laugh instead of .starting them yawning as he did. On the whole, in characters that fit him, one could look pleasant over a great deal of Goodwin. Eut Mr Goodwin really seeina to hava a shocking memory. Mr Geo. Majeroni is playing Fritz Yon Tarlenheim in "The Prisoner of Zenda" at Sydney Her Majesty's. Two others well known in Maoriland in the same cast are Farry Hill, who plays Bf rtram Bertrand in the prologue, ;iud Arthur Lis^ sant (so long with the Royal Comic Opera Company) as the Major of Strelsau. Mr Henry Paulton and three other players (including Miss Alma Stanley), under engagement to Williamson and Musgrove, will arrive in Australia by the next Orient liner, and open in Melbourne with "A Night Out." This, in Mr Musgrove's opinion, is one of the best farce comedies ever written, and a play in which, strangely enough, the last act is funniest. Mr Paulton, Mr Muagrove believes, " cannot possibly fail" in the part he plays in "A Night Out." "La Poupse," which has -been bought for the colonies, is an enormous success at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, London. It is described as more like a comic opera than the majority of Gaiety and semi-Gaiety plays, and Mr George Edwardes was trying to get it for Australia, when Mr Musgrove concluded a treaty with its proprietor. Another play that has been obtained is "My Friend from India," a farce comedy, which is a great hit in America. Under the name of "My Friend the Prince" it has also been played in England, but Mr Musgrove, considering the American version the best, bought it, and will arranga for some slight alterations in it for the Australian production. This is one of the pieces fhe Frohman Company were to have invaded Australia with. Arrangements had been made for Mr William Terriss 1o come heiv, and do valiant deeds by sea and land as a hero of melodrama, also for Miss Millward, as leading lady ; but they were cancelled. The Brough Comedy Company disbands at the close of the Maoriland tour in September. Frauk Thornton's piesent Australasian tour will last IS months. The theatrical deadhead, who will spend 10s to get a free p?.ss, is about to be put tn some use. Air Vanderlip, the manager of the El&io Adair Company, is making a charge of M on all passes issued, except to members of the press, and the money he receiver in this way he intends to forward to the Australian Distressed Actors' Fund. Already he has collected 10s in Adelaide, and i>efore the Australian tour of the company i<s over ho expects to have quite a respectable total. The deadhead is a flourishing animal, and he deserves to be bled in Ihe cause of charity, though it would be better if ha could be extinguished altogether. — Quiz A. London Gaiety Company, to play ''The Guish*" and "Tbe Circus Girl," will visit Australia within ?he next few months. Sohio y nvj avjo Bob Brough lay very ill in Ms!buun.e. hariv one morning, just as the stieets were btiug aiieii, he appeared to be in a state of collapse. j\l is Brough hastily donned a dressing gown and cloak and rushed into the street in order to ?o for Dr Fitzgerald. There was not a cab in si?lit. Presently a milkcart. driven by & merry, whistling boy, came along. He answered to the hail of the excited actres?, anil the lady in a few moment*, was seated by his side and being driven oft' to West Melbourne The doctor was I aroiwed, and Mr Biough was In ought safely through the crisis. Mr Durward Lely is to visit Australia next ! year with " Scottish SoDg and Story." Mr Lely was for many yea's the tenor of the D'Oyley j Carte Comic Opera Company at the Savoy I Theatre, where he c;eatei Nanki-Poo and other | roles. We fear he will find it rather difficult to make " Scottish Song and Story" catch on in the | antipodes, but. s^.ys the Herald, 113 might, hovv- ' ever, try Dunedin."

TO ELSIE ADAIR. (Fio-n Quiz ) Thou cruellest ot tiivts Whose tumultu'-UH skirls Send us poor wretched fellow* lunatical (That's a i-ew vrord for " mad," And io doesn't sound bad If it i,-.n't actually giummatical. It fully llUi my sense Of poetic license. And ought to fill thy sense, 1 swear). S:> giily yen bounce That tumultous flounce. With a L\vUt and <x twirl that's untwistable, And you smile all ths waile In the ruerrieit style, With ;<. gaiety hkfl inesistib'e. The world thou delightast, Thou liKh'-e«t :vucl brightest, Thou trimmest and tightest Adair.

The Royal Comic Opera Company is still being enrolled, but as tho principal positions have not been filled, the company will not take the field for some time. Meantime the utmost secrecy regarding future movements is preserved by the Firm, though it has leaked out that " La Poupee" and' "The Gay Parisienne" will be among the earliest productions. Actiug on the advice of his Xiartner, Mr Williamson will immediately issue an irade calling on all peaceable persons to refrain from playing any of the Firm's operas, and giving warning that the courts will be asked to deal with any violator of the decree. Polly Hmery, who goes to London shortly, was last through Maorilaud with the Brown PotterKyrle Bellew Company, playing -Nichette in "Camille" Maid ... .., „, „ " Rhe Stoops to Conquer" Audrey »,» >> ■•• "As You Like It " Sus.in , ... "Turn Him Out" Palis page „ .., " Romeo and Juliet " Annette de Riverolies „ ... ... "Francillon" Geuarino „ "LaTosca" General Mite, who was through Maoriland with " Tho Circassian Youth " some years ago, is now in Kalgoorlie. The Flying Jordans' American Vaudeville Company opens in Sydney on May I. The Five Jordans do an aerial trapeze act, one of the family, a girl of 15, doing a ti'iplo somersault and catcb.—Youis truly, Bis. Poverty Point, May 1.